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For Jackson's estate, 3 big claims are unresolved

The Associated Press

Updated:
06/20/2014 09:09:26 AM EDT

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FILE - In this Oct. 8, 2011 file photo, from left, Prince Jackson, Prince Michael II "Blanket" Jackson and Paris Jackson arrive on stage at the Michael Forever the Tribute Concert, at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Records filed by Jackson?s estate executors in a Los Angeles probate court show that nearly $20 million was paid to support Katherine Jackson and her three grandchildren now in her care in the first three and a half years after her son Michael Jackson?s death in June 2009. The payments by his estate to his mother and children have paid for everything from school tuition, tutors, vacations, the rental of a mansion and paying off the Jacksons? longtime family home located in Encino. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan, file) *Editorial Use Only*

Five years after Michael Jackson's death, his estate continues to earn tens of millions of dollars a year and has resolved most claims filed against it by creditors. But some are still seeking a share of the pop superstar's wealth.

Here's a look at the biggest remaining threats to Jackson's estate:

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The IRS is seeking more than $700 million from Jackson's estate, which includes taxes it contends are owed, plus penalties.

The dispute arises over a difference in valuations of Jackson's assets when he died. The singer had borrowed heavily against his half share of the Sony-ATV music catalog, and hadn't toured or had an endorsement deal in years.

FILE- In this May 5, 2005 file photo, defense witness for the Michael Jackson child molestation trial, Wade Robson, center, arrives for court with an unidentified woman and a member of Jackson's entourage holding an umbrella in the rain at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse in Santa Maria, Calif. Five years after Jackson?s death, his estate continues to earn tens of millions of dollars a year, but some are still seeking a share of the pop superstar?s wealth. In 2013, Robson sued Jackson?s estate for what his attorneys described as molestation that spanned a seven year period. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, file) (Mark J Terrill/AP)

The IRS says Jackson's image was still worth millions, as were other assets, while the singer's estate points to his debts and an image tarnished by child molestation allegations as reasons supporting lower tax valuations.

Last year, Robson sued Jackson's estate for what his attorneys described as molestation that spanned a seven-year period. Robson met Jackson when he was 5 and spent the night at Neverland Ranch more than 20 times, sleeping in the singer's bedroom on most visits, he told jurors during the trial, which ended with Jackson's acquittal.

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The merits of Robson's claim against the estate haven't yet been argued and his attorneys haven't said how much they are seeking.

Jackson estate attorney Howard Weitzman has cited Robson's previous statements supporting Jackson and called the new accusations "outrageous and pathetic."

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Tohme Tohme served as Jackson's personal manager in 2008 and early 2009 but was fired during preparations for the ill-fated "This Is It" concerts.

FILE - In this July 3, 2009 file photo, Dr. Tohme Tohme, an advisor to Michael Jackson, stands in front of a painting of Jackson titled "The Book," by artist Brett-Livingstone Strong, in the law office of Dennis Hawk in Santa Monica, Calif. Tohme served as Jackson?s personal manager in 2008 and early 2009 but was fired during preparations for the ill-fated ?This Is It? concert. He worked with Jackson?s estate in its first months and returned $5.5 million to Jackson?s estate in 2009 that he said he was holding to purchase a ?dream home? for the singer. (AP Photo/David Zentz, file) (David Zentz/AP)

He worked with Jackson's estate in its first months in 2009 and returned $5.5 million to the estate that he said he was holding to purchase a "dream home" for the singer.

Tohme sued in February 2012, seeking a 15 percent share of the estate for his role in reviving Jackson's career. Jackson's estate is seeking to block any payments to Tohme, and the two sides have been battling over records and potential evidence.

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